Service and Awareness Events

New York City

New York City Tillman Military Scholars joined with MissionServe, Bank of America and HBO, along with PTF staff members, to prepare emergency packets for homeless veterans in the city. Before the project, they also braved the cold to talk about their efforts on Good Morning America.

TMS Rudy Rickner (right) joins fellow Veterans Day volunteers on Good Morning America.

People Magazine Photo Shoot

NYU TMS Korey Calloway and Lyndsey Anderson joined PTF President Marie Tillman for a People Magazine photo shoot for a “Heroes Among Us” article.

TMS Korey Calloway and Lyndsey Anderson with Marie Tillman.

Blue Bloods Set Visit

PTF Program Coordinator Cara Hammer joined Team Tillman and PTF partner veterans on set in Brooklyn with Donnie Wahlberg, Tom Selleck and Bridget Moynahan.

PTF Program Coordinator Cara Hammer with Tom Selleck and PTF veteran supporters.

San Diego

Robin, Yana and her husband Arthur prepared lunch and dinner for the residents of the Veterans Village of San Diego while they marched in the San Diego County Veterans Day Parade. When the residents returned, TMS served lunch to over 300 residents and family members alongside some of VVSD’s current residents. Later, there was a brief ceremony/celebration of the Marine Corps’ 236th Birthday with Arthur being asked to help cut the cake as he was the youngest Marine on site. For those not familiar with Marine Corps Birthday tradition, the oldest Marine and youngest Marine take part in cutting the birthday cake.

TMS Robin Williams (middle left) and Yana Mukvich (right) with Yana's husband Arthur.

Los Angeles

Along with other volunteers, TMS Nicole Hart, Peter Thomas and Tristan Dyer planted approximately 40 Valencia trees at the VA Westwood campus in Los Angeles. As Nicole states it, “The energy of the day was rich with the willingness to serve; to give back to those, past and present, who have given so much to this country. It was an honor to be a part of such a day!”

TMS Nicole Hart, Peter Thomas and Tristan Dyer (with friend).

Tampa Bay

A week prior to Veterans Day, TMS Dave Warden, Grey Leonard and Josiah Hill rehabbed stables and riding areas for the Quantum Leap Farms, an equine therapy center serving disabled children and military in the Tampa area.

TMS Dave Warden and Josiah Hill.

University of South Florida

TMS Grey Leonard was the Master of Ceremonies as members of the Special Operations Parachute Demonstration Team kicked off the second annual Veterans Week Celebration at the University of South Florida Tuesday with a drop on the green next to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza.

TMS Grey Leonard.

Michigan

University of Michigan-Flint TMS Kyle Caywood and Tiffany Johnson were recognized by their Chancellor at the Veterans Day program – where Kyle served as MC. Later the next week, they met up with University of Michigan TMS John Shriver and Lindsay Compton to discuss Pat’s Run in April 2012.

Michigan TMS Kyle Caywood, John Shriver, Tiffany Johnson and Lindsay Compton.

Baltimore

TMS Rich Blake spoke with WYPR – Baltimore’s local NPR station – about Veterans Day and the work he and fellow veterans are conducting in local Baltimore neighborhoods. Listen to Rich’s interview.

TMS Rick Blake (2nd from left) in studio at Baltimore's WYPR.

University of Maryland

TMS Shelly Burgoyne spoke at the University of Maryland’s annual Veterans Day celebration.

Look for her at the end of this video.

Harvard

Harvard Business School’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony, spearheaded by TMS Danny Cho, welcomed 300 people to the HBS’s Armed Forces Alumni Association “Leadership Through Service” celebration and reception. Danny gave the welcoming speech, followed by Ian Walsh, SVP of Textron Systems and the club’s founding member, and Charles Bolden, the current NASA Administrator spoke about their views on what it means to be a veteran and what value veterans bring to the workforce.

TMS Danny Cho.

San Jose

Pat Tillman Foundation board member Alex Garwood participated in an honorary puck drop when the San Jose Sharks hosted the Phoenix Coyotes over Veterans Day weekend.

PTF Board Member Alex Garwood drops the opening puck. Pictured here with team captains Joe Thornton and Shane Doan.

Public Recognitions

Tillman Military Scholars were publicly recognized for Veterans Day on campuses across the country:

PTF Program Coordinator (center) with University of Maryland TMS Roel Mora, Kevin Kim, Josie O’Regan and Louis Thorne at the 4th Annual Veterans Reception.

San Diego State University TMS Yana Mukvich and Robin Williams recognized during the SDSU vs. University of Wyoming football game.

University of Oregon TMS Jeff Meray, Bryan Boender, Ryan Williams and Kelly Christensen recognized at the Veterans Day Ceremony.

Texas A&M University TMS Susan Stallings, Marisela Spangler and Cameron McCoy are recognized at the Veterans Day Brunch.

PTF Director of Programs Hunter I Riley alongside Mississippi State University TMS Mark Edwards, Janice Cunningham, Trish Pohlhaus, Ryan Bear, Samantha Hill and Catherine Turner at Veterans Day Scholarship Dinner.

University of South Florida TMS Josiah Hill, Dave Warden and Grey Leonard are recognized on the field at the USF vs. University of Miami football game.

University of Arizona TMS April Ellsworth, Martin Stahl and Matt Randle are recognized on the field at the Arizona State vs. Arizona football game (standing next to the PT42 gate).

To top off Veterans Day celebrations and events, NFL-Tillman Military Scholar D’Onior Felton will be recognized on the field at the December 11 Washington Redskins game.

Dear Pat Tillman Foundation Supporter,

Every November as communities throughout the country take time to celebrate Veterans Day, I am grateful that I have the privilege through the efforts of the Pat Tillman Foundation to honor military families and the sacrifices they make each and every day of the year. I am often asked what I enjoy most about the work that we do at the Foundation and the answer is simple – spending time and interacting with our amazing Tillman Military Scholars.

In June, the Pat Tillman Foundation welcomed the third class of Scholars into the Tillman Community by investing over $916,000 in educational scholarships. It was a highly competitive application process that saw over 1200 applications narrowed down to the 60 outstanding individuals that were selected. This summer, I had the pleasure of spending several days in Maryland at our annual Pat Tillman Legacy Summit with 90 of our 171 Tillman Military Scholars and was honored to see and hear first-hand the impact that Pat’s life, the Foundation and our supporters have made in their lives.

As I listened to the Scholars share their very personal stories with me, explaining why they chose to serve, what their experience was like and the challenges they face upon their return, it is clear that there is still a tremendous amount of work that needs to be accomplished. In addition to a lack of understanding by the general population, servicemembers are returning at unprecedented rates to an unstable economy and highly competitive job market resulting from high unemployment rates. Obtaining a degree is no longer an ambitious goal, but rather a required step to ensure economic stability. Through the Tillman Military Scholars program our goal is to bridge the gaps left by the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill. By removing obstacles that would prohibit a servicemember or spouse from achieving academic success, the program aims to provide the financial and educational resources needed to prevent undeserved debt and establish a foundation for greater career opportunities.

Today, we invite you to join us as we fulfill our mission of investing in military veterans and their spouses through educational scholarships; building a diverse community of leaders committed to service to others.

Below are just a few of the many ways you can get involved:

Run, Walk, Honor
Join 35,000 participants, volunteers and spectators from throughout the U.S. at the 8th Annual Pat’s Run. Registration is now open and space is limited. Register today to participate in the 4.2 mile run/walk or .42 mile Kids Run or donate your time and talents as a volunteer at the event.

Commit. Challenge. Support.
Become a member of Team Tillman. The Pat Tillman Foundation is honored to be recognized as an Official Charity Partner with guaranteed entries to participate in some of the most prestigious marathons in the world including the ING New York City Marathon, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and the Marine Corps Marathon. Individuals can also earn gear and raise funds to support the Pat Tillman Foundation in conjunction with any race or athletic event nationwide.

Give. Donate. Invest.
Invest in veterans and military families by making your secure tax-deductible credit card donation online now.

Stay Informed
The Pat Tillman Foundation is upgrading our e-communications tool and respectfully request that you confirm your preferred e-mail address to stay up to date on Scholar achievements, news and upcoming events by completing this form. We also invite you to Become a Fan on Facebook – Pat Tillman Foundation (Official) and Follow us on Twitter @pattillmanfnd.

Since the Foundation was established in 2004, through the generous support of individuals and organizations nationwide, over $4 million has been invested in men and women committed to a life of service, both in and out of uniform. In recognition of Veterans Day we invite you to take a moment to view the interactive Scholar map online to learn more about the Tillman Military Scholars who are making a difference in your community.

Thank you for helping us honor Pat’s legacy by inspiring others to create their own.

Warm regards,

Marie Tillman
Co-Founder & President

(LtoR) Mike Bryant, Charles Pease, Keeley Tatum, Brandon Stuckey, Samantha Hill, Mark Edwards, Jordan Lohman, Catherine Turner, Janice Cunningham and Hunter I Riley attend a Tillman Military Scholar recognition dinner at Mississippi State University.

In addition to this weekend’s activities, the Pat Tillman Foundation and Tillman Military Scholars (“TMS”) honored our nation’s active and veteran servicemembers and military families in a variety of ways leading up to Veterans Day.

From service – among other projects, TMS Antoinette Bardunias joined The Mission Continues to fix up a school playground in Philadelphia.

To press – Marie Tillman made an appearance on The Today Show on Veterans Day to discuss the work of the Foundation.

To performing – TMS Rich Blake emceed the event “Home: A Veteran’s Day Tribute” in Baltimore.

To running – TMS Ryan Reynolds ran a 5K in Fayetteville, Arkansas, to support our national cemeteries.

To the launch of the Foundation text campaign – Marie and Arizona Cardinal Darnell Dockett asked the fans at the Cardinals vs. Seahawks game to give back.

To the opening of Pat’s Run registration – sign up here.

To public recognitions – among others, the five University of Oregon Tillman Military Scholars were honored by President Lariviere and the two Cleveland State University Tillman Military Scholars were recognized by the State of Ohio, the Cuyahoga Community Veterans Service Commission and their institution at a ceremony held at Cleveland City Hall.

(LtoR) Samuel Bennett, Bryan Boender, Kelly Christensen, Justin Jangraw and Caleb Lesselles on stage with President Lariviere to be publicly acknowledged as the University of Oregon’s five 2010-2011 Tillman Military Scholars.

In total, over 20 Tillman Military Scholars participated in service over the past two weeks ranging from planting trees at a Washington, D.C. elementary school to volunteering at the Oklahoma Veteran’s Home. And over 25 Tillman Military Scholars led or participated in recognition ceremonies, parades and events.